Kiln.



iVl. M. MINTEH.

KILN.

` APPLICATION FILED APR. I0. 1918.

17,495. Pandlmy 16, 1918.

N *E ffy/cow g ATTORNEYS Anon/frs Patented July 16, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3 /m/En/ro M. M. MINTER.

MLN

APPLICATION FILED APR. l0. 1918.

TE@ ATE@ @ATENT MAURICE M. MINTER, F ALBANY, GEORGIA, ASSIG'TNOR OFONE-HALF TO PAUL JOE BROWN, OF ALBANY, GElOEtG'rIll...- i

KILN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July i6, ii.

Application led April 10, 1918, Serial No. 227,651.

To all whom z't may concern.'

Be it known that I, MAURICE M. MINTER, a citizen of the United States,and a resident ot' Albany, in the county of .Dougherty and State ofGeorgia, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Kilns, of whichthe following is a specilication.

My present invention relates generally to kilns and more particularly toa kiln system involving a circuit of successively operating kilnsarranged in a series, my primary object being'the provision of a systemwhich may be economically operated, which will be continuous in itsaction, avoid shut-downs,

permit of the burning of different materialsYA in successive kilns, andprovide for cutting out of operation any one or more kilns undergoingrepair without affecting the action ot the others or the system as awhole.

lVith these general objects in mind, the more specic objects of myinvention as well as the advantages incident thereto, involved in partin the particular construction of the kilns themselves as well as theconnections extending therefrom and therebetween, will be betterunderstood and more thoroughly appreciated from the followingdescription in 'which reference is -had to the accompanying drawings,forming a part of this specification, and in which Figure 1 is aplanview more or less diagrammatic, of the complete system, certain ofthe kilns in action being shown in hori- Zonta] section,

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section through the system,

Fig. 3 is a diagram of the underground flues extending from and betweenthe kilns,

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section through a portion of one of the kilns onan enlarged scale,

Fig. 5 is'a vertical section through a portion of one of the kilns inCourse of burning, illustrating the linjecting device for heatedproducts,

Fig. (3 is a side view of one of the segmental lines,

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are partial vertical sections taken respectively onlines 7 7, 8-8 and 9 9 of Fig. 6,

Figs. lO'and 11. are respectively a plan and a vertical longitudinalsection, the lattter enlarged, through-'one of the brake inembers,

Fig. 12 is a vertical section through the heat injecting fan and itssupport,

Fig. 13 is a vertical transversevk section taken substantially on theline 13-13 of Fig. 12. n

eferring now to these figures and particularly to Figs. l to 3inclusive, Ymy invention proposes a system consisting of a continuousseries of kilns 15, each ot' which has an annular wall 16 and the usualshaped crown 17 surmounting the wall 16, the latter being provided witha Circular series of openings located adjacent the ground level andindicated at 18. inwardly beyond each "of the openings 18 which latterform the lire doors, are the usual vertically disposed battles 19 whichcause the products to take an upward course as indicated in Fig. 5. Theseries of continuousl operating kilns 15 are preferably arrange( inparallel lines,

or adjacent lines to provide for the convenient extension between theselines of an induction flue 20, closed at one end and having an inductionfan 21 at its opposite end seen in Fig. 1, this flue being connected tothe several kilns of the series by branch induction flues 22, havingdempers 28 thereinl adjacent to the flue 20 so that any one or more ofthe series or' kilns may be cut oit in respect to the action of theinduction fan 21.

The entire system consisting of the series of kilns 15 is surrounded bya continuous flue 2l which l will hereafter term the circuit flue, thisflue being connected to the several kilns by branch circuit flues 25,each having a damper 26 therein adjacent to the main 'circuit flue 24.in order that any one or more of the kilns may be cut out of the systemin case of necessary repairs and the intended action of the system as awhole permitted without interruption.

Each of the kilns 15 has a central outlet opening 27 in its basecommunicating with one end of a connecting flue 28 leading toward oneside of the next adjacent kiln in advance thereof vin the series, eachof these connecting iues 28 having spaced dampers 29 and 30 locatedbetween the kilns ot' the series and therefore readily accessible.

Each of the kilns of the series is capable of being acted upon bytheinduction fan 21 by virtue of the 'fact that its particular branchinduction liuc 22 communicates with u new.

its outlet tlue 28 at a point between the respective kiln and itsnearest outlet damper 25), and each of the kilns is capable ofconnection With the circuit flue 2l by virtue of the tact that therespective branch circuit line 26 communicates with its outlet Hue 28 ata point between the two dampers 29 and 30, all of which may be plainlyseen by reference to Fig. 1 and more thoroughly appreciatcd by virtueoit' thediagrain Fig. 2.

ln the action of the apparatus a step-bystep advance throughout theseries of kilns is maintained as each kiln is ired, the pre-- viouslytired kiln being cooled, the-'next in advance fired, the next preheatedand the next u'atensinolied or dried, so that a continuous operation ofthis nature is carried on at all times, one complete operation beingindicated in Fig. 1, Where the kiln A is cooling, the kiln B is firing,the kiln C is preheating, and the kiln D is wateiasmoking, and cach ot'the kilns B, C and D are utilizing for their respective purposes acertain proportion of the heat products of the kiln A which is cooling.

For the above purpose the doors 18 of the kiln A are open, cool externalatmosphere being drawn inwardly through these doors in the saine ratethat the internal heat products are removed through the outlet flue 28thereof. With the damper 29 at the right of kiln A open it is obviousthat a portion of the heat products from the kiln A `Will pass throughthe nent adjacent branch circuit. flue 25, the damper 23 of Which isopen so that these products may pass into the main circuit tine 24, pastthe kiln B which is firing and,I having divided and regulatedproportions thereof passed into the preheating kiln C and theWater-smoking kiln D, the damper 29 of kiln D being closed and thedamper 30 open. Both the preheating kiln C and the water-smoking kiln Dare at this time under the direct action ot the induction fan 21 byvirtue of the open dampers 23 ot their branch induction fines 22.

Duri ng this action the dampers 23 of the branch induction lines 22 otthe cooling kiln A and ,tiring kiln B are closed, so that with thedamper 30 between kilns A and B closed and the damper 29 between kilns Band C partly open, the firing kiln B is indirectly subject to theintlliience of the induction 'tan through the kiln'C while the coolingkiln A is indirectly subject thereto through the kilns C and Dand thecircuit vtlue 24 with its branches 25.

"lt will be noted reference to Figs. l

. nd 5 that each of theoutlet iues 28 may ctann'iunicate With 'theatmosphere throuoh vertical opening 31. and 32 upon respectivezlyoppositesides of each damper 30, the outer end ci' cachot `these outletiiues 28 forming a separate box with the damper 30 closed as seen. inFig. 5 into which heated products from the cooling kiln may be injectedunder i angles as seen particularly in Fig. 5, WithinA the lowerportions of the doors or tire -vopenlngs 18 so as to provide for thedisposal of a grate generally seen at 37L in Fig. 5 over i the outletend of each pipe 36.

As above stated,the segmental flues34 communicate at their open ends 33With the upper ends of the outlet tlues 28, 'the opposite ends of thesesegmental Hues being closed as seen at 38 in Fig. 6, whereby the heatproducts passing into these lues through their open ends 33 will divideand pass upwardly into the kilns through the doors 18 and through thepipes 36 opposite andleading to these doors. In order to equalize theheat around the kilns these pipes 36 commencing from the intakev ends ofthe Segmental flues 34 are plugged by lugs 39 or otherwise partiallyclosed, the p ugs gradually reducing in size throughout `each tlue 34 soas to thus graduate the amount of heat passing through the pipes 36 ofthe series of each kiln, and in this Way provide for a uniform intake ofheatproducts around the entire kiln and an even temperature therein.

It is obvious that with' the dampers 30. open at the yleft of each ofthe preheating and water-smoking kilns C and D of Fig. 1, these kilnswill receive in the graduated manner above described, portions of theheat products of the cooling kiln A, through the main circuit flue 24and the branch circuit iiues 25, under the influence of the induceddraft from the fan 21. rlhus kiln C will receive all the products ofcombustion from `Referring particularly to Figs 5, 12 and I 13 myinvention proposes a portable fan 40,

vwithin a. casing 41, communicatingat. itsy lower port-ionwith a'tubular extension 42 in which a connecting pipe 43 is telescoped at itsupper end, the lower pcrtion of said pipe 43 being adapted to extendinto the fine opening 32 before described and having a surroundingfiange le which engages the v.surface of the ground as particularly seenin rvFig. 12.

At one side the casing an opening 45, through which the heat productsare drawn with any desired proportion of cool air as' presentlydescribed, so that these heat products maybe forced downwardly throughthe eiitensionv 42 and vpipe 43 and through opening 32 into the closedouter end of the'lue 28 and from thence into the segmental lines 34 ofthe kiln B.

It is obviousjthat the fan 4,0 must be able to resist very hightemperatures as it takes in the products from the cooling 1kiln at avery highly heated point, and for this purpose its shaft 46 as seen inFigs. 12 and 13 is of comparatively large diameter and has a lengthycontinuously oiled bearing within a casing 47 havingan inner oil chamber48 and a Water chamber 49 around the oil chamber. The bearing 50 of theshaft 46 is continuously supplied with lubricant from 4thechambei"48 andfor this purpose is slottedas seen at 51 in Fig. 13 `to receive freelymovable oiling iings 52 whose lower portions extend into the oil supplyof the chamber 48, the oil feed or intake of the chamber 5 through whicha pipe 55 is extended opening 48 being. indicated at 53 in Fig. 12.

The lower portion of the water chamber 49 is divided by an uprifrhtpartition 54 at one end upon one side of the said partition andcommunicating at 'its opposite end with a pump 5.6 located anddischarging upon the opposite side of the partition, the shaft 57 0fSaid pum being connected by a belt /58.With ythe shatt- 46 of the fanwhich latter isdriven by any suitable means, as for .instance anelectric motor 59 as' seen in Fig. 12.

The fan just described as Well as its driving motor and bearing` aremounted upon a Wheeled frame-60, the Wheels of which appear at 61, so asto render the saine portable and permit of its movement from one kiln tothe other during the progressive..actionot the series. Thus when kiln Bhas been lined for the required length ot time, the fan is moved to theopenings 31 and 32 at the left of the kiln C, at which time kiln B willbe cooling, kiln C tiring, kiln D preheating rand and being movabletoward' andV away from the fan intake opening 45 to control` 41 of thefan has the relative proportions of the heat products drawnl by theaction of the fan upwardly through the tubular upright 63 from theoutlet flue 28 and the atmosphere taken into the fan along with saidheat products around the ring 65 as indicated b v the arrows in Fig. 12.

To assist in the proper control of the heat passing through the fan, thelatter has a thermometer 66 at one side as seen in Fig. 5 and thetubular upright 63 may have a side control damper 67 as seen in the samefigure. ln the tiiinfT 'of each ot' the kilns hollow grates 37, befjorementioned, are utilized over the outlet ends of the pipes 36 from thesegmental tlues 34 in the manner seen inl Fig. 5 and as these grates mayfrequently be handled while hot and are subjected to very hightemperatures by virtue oi the heated products passing upwardlytherethrough from the pipes 36, it is essential that they be so formedas to successfully resist these intluences and minimize breakage.. Tothis end l preferably construct the grate 3T of oval fornito givestrength, with one inclined Awall 68 at one end, and utilize plastic material in successive layers, each layer being of different constituentsin view of the different spacing oi' these layers from the point ofgreatest heat and the layers having (litterent coefficients ofexpansion.- rllhis structure is to be broadly seen in Fig. 11 and itwill 'be noted that the upper and lower or outer and inner layers 69 and70 are relatively thin as compared to that ofthe central layer 71, thelatter being of a width or thicknessapproximately equal to the combined.thicknesses of the outer and inner layers 69 and 7 0.

It is ofcourse obvious from the foregoing description, that the dempers23 of the branch induction fines 22 of those kilns entirely out ofaction, and in addition to those coolingfg; and firing, are closed, andthat to prevent waste the circuit flue 24 has dampers 7 2 which are seenin Figs. l and 3 and which are located to the left or at the rear of theseveral branchcircuit lues ,25 in respect to the progression of theaction in the series of kilns whereby those portions of the circuit fluebeyond the kilns immediately in action may be cut off,

From the foregoing it'A Will be understood that any particular kiln orkilns may be cuty out of the circuit or series where repairs arenecessary, Without preventing operation of the others or interferingwith such operation and that my invention provides for completeutilization of allI heat products which 'might otherwise be Wasted andwill provide for much more economical operation than has heretofore beenpossible.

Attention is, however, called particularly to the fact that the Wasteheat from kiln A.

is used in kiln B partially through fan (Fig.

from burning. kiln B through partially opened damper 29 between B and C.At the junction point of filles Q5' and 28 a portion of waste heat fromkiln A is added to the full volume of heat from burning kiln B and bothvolumes are passed into and through kiln C. But no part of the gases orproducts of combustion ever pass from B through C to D (watersl'noking).All the volume is passed through flue 22v to main induction flue byclosed damper v29 between kilns C and D.

Kiln Donly receives waste heat from cooling kiln A for removalofmoisture.

Kiln B (tiring) is connected to induction I iiue through kiln C(preheating) only.

Kiln A (cooling) is connected to indllction flue through kiln D, kiln Cand through kiln C to B.

The induction fan is connected to the draft volume of all four kilns allthe time, as the function. of thehot air fan is only to force hot airthrough the Agrates of the burning kiln B after which the induction fanpower is operative to carry the draft forward through kiln C (sealed) tooutlet flue 22. The use oflwaste heat from kiln A at three points isnecessary rto' utilize the great volume of heat contained therein whenthe burning is complete, but isreally secondary in importance to the useof burning heat carried from kiln B to Cduring the burning period ofkiln B. Z,

The relative importance of the passage of heat from kiln B through Cwill be 1,111- derstood when theshortdistance fromyA to B through thefan and from B 4to C through the ilue are considered. From `A to C an'dA to D are by circuitous routes.

g Heat vfrom kiln A is by-passed to kiln C and mixed vwith heat passinfrom kiln 'B to kiln C at the junction o fines between B and C.

At the beginning -of actual tiring of kiln B the heat by-passed asdescribed will be of higher temperature than the heat passing directlyfrom burning kilnB to preheating kiln C. As the burn progresses in kilnB the heat discharged from it through ilue to kiln C will. increase intemperature and the heat from kiln A by passed around kiln B andcombined with heat fromkiln B passing to kiln C will decrease intemperature.

When the heat by-passed from kiln A to kiln C falls in temperature byreason of the cooling of kiln A below the temperature of gases passingfrom kiln B tc'C, the damper 26 is closed and all the heat divert/ed toand through Watersmokin kiln D, except the part used-by the tan 'orpreheating air for combustion in kiln B. This will have utilized themain volume ofwaste heat from kiln-A at three points and after thetempera-l turehas fallen Souto degrees l `ahrenheit in kiln A the volumeot heat passing to kiln D will be increased by closure of damper 26without mllch increase of temperature cluding material that scllms anddiscololfs by v direct tiring, as watersmoking is done 'with clean heatcontaining no sulfur or carbona-l ceous matter.

I claimzl. The combination of a series of kilns,

an induction flue having draft inducingf means, damper controlledconnections bej tween the'said fille and the severa-l kilns,'a circuitflue around the series of k1lns,'damf per controlled connectlons betweenthe said circllit ue and the several kilns, and j damper controlledconnections between the f `.several kilns of the series.

2. A 'series of progressively operating kilns, each of which has-anoutlet Hue extendit; to the next adjacent kiln in advance y thereol aninduction flue having draft inuclng means, damper controlledconnections/between the said flues and each of the i .llns', a circuit.uearound the series ofl i-kilns, 'and'damper controlled connectionsbetween said circuit tlue and thesaid kilns, for the' purpose described.l

3. A series of progressively operating kilns, each of `which has anoutlet iue `extending to the next adjacent kiln 'vance` thereof, aninduction` lille having draft inducing means, damper controlledconnections between the said flues and :each of the kilns, a circuitflue around the series of kilns, and damper controlled connectionsbetween said circuit flue and the said kilns, the said connectionsbetween the induction flue and the kilns leading into the said out- 'flet filles of the kilns.

4. A series of progressively operating kilns, each of which has an'outlet flue eX- tendingl to the next adjacent kiln in ad.- 4vance tereof, an induction flue having draft Vinducing means, dam er controlledconnections betweenthe sai lines and each'of the kilns, a circuit linearound the series of kilns, and damper controlled connections beriatween said circuit iue and the said kilns, the said damper controlledconnections be-4 tween the circuit flue' and the kilns leading=,

ilnto the said outlet tlues of the kilns.

5;- A series of progressively operatin kilns havin surrounding intakeus, an each provi ed with an outlet flue leading...

. from its center to the intake flue ,of the next adjacent kiln inadvance thereof, dampers' controlling' the said outletilues, aninduotionflue, and damper controlled connections betweenthe induction Hue andthekilns leading into the outlet iues at points between' the kilns and thesaid danipeis of the outlet iues.

6. A series of progressively ope 'ating kilns, each of which has intaketlues around the sides thereoi and an outlet flue leading` from thecenter to the intake dues of the next adjacent kiln in advance thereof,an induction flue having draft inducing ineans and having dampercontrolled connections with the several outlet flues of the kilns, a

circuit fine surrounding the series of kilns and having dampercontrolled connections with the several outlet iiues of the kilns, anddainpers in the outlet fines located between the said connections of theinduction and circuit flucs.

7. A series' of progressively operating kilns each/having intake luesand an outlet flue leading therefrom to the intake ilues of the nextadjacent kiln in advance thereof, an induction flue having draftinducing means and having damper controlled branches connnunicatiiigbetween the same and the several kilns and leading to the said outletiiues, a circuit flue having damper controlled branches for the severalkilns leading to the outlet fines, the circuit branch of eachkiln beingfarther removed therefrom than the induction branch ot' the respectivekiln, and a damper located iii cach outlet flue between the inductionbranch and `the circuit branch thereof.

8. A series of kilns each having an annular series of door openings,intake lucs extending around opposite sides of each 'of said kilns andhaving adjacent open ends, pipes leading from the said intake liliesinto the door openings of the kilns, and an outlet flue leading fromeach of the kilns and communicating with the adjacent open ends of theintake fines of the next advanced kiln.

9. A plurality of progressively operating kilns each having an annularseries of door openings, segmental fines extending around opposite sidesof said kilns, said fines having adjacent open ends and being closed attheir opposite ends, pipes leading from the said segmental fiues'intothe several door openings of the kilns, and an outlet flue leading fromeach of thel kilns and communicatingI with the adjacent open ends of thesegmental fiues of the next advanced kiln.

10. A plurality of j n'ogressively operating kilns having annular seriesof door openings, intake llues around the kilns having intake pipesextending into the several door open` iii'gs of the kilns, and an outletliuc loading from each of the kilns and communicating with the intakefine ot' the next advanced kiln.

11..A plurality of progressively operating kilns having annular seriesof door open-- kiln, the said intake pipes ot the intake tlucs havingprogressively increasing intake ports starting from the point otconmiunication of the respective outlet Hue, for the purpose described.

I2. A plurality of progressively operating l kilns `having annularseries ot' door openings, intake fines around the kilns having intake pi)es extending into the several door o )en-. A b

ings of the kilns, an outlet flue leading from cach of the kilns andcommunicating with the intake flue'oi' the next advanced kilii, saidoutlet tlues having vertical openings at' spaced points adjacent theintake flues and having ydanipei's between the said openings, andpressure `creating means for establishing communication between the saidopenings whn the damper is closed.

,13. plurality of progressively ope 'ating kilns having annular seriesof door openings, intake iiues around the kilns having intake pipesextending into the several door openings o't thekilns, an outlet flueleading 'roni each of the kilns and communicating with the intake fineor'A the next advanced kiln, said outlet fines having vertical openingsat spaced points adjacent the intake tlues and hav-ing dampers betweenthe said openings,

v and pressure creating means for establishing communication between thesaid openings when the damper is closed, the said pressure creatingmeans bcinginovable from one kiln Ito anotherA in the progressiveoperation, as

described. i

llt. A plurality ot' progressively operating kilns each having intakeiiues, and an outlet line communicating at its outer end with the intakefines of the next adjacent kiln in advance thereof, each ot said outletflues having longitudinally spaced openings adjacent the intake tlueswith which it communicates, danipcrs between the said openings of theoutlet lues, and a portable fan having means of communication with thesaid openings, whereby to withdraw products of the outlet iiucs at oneside or the dampers and introduce the same under pressure within theintake ilues at the opposite sides of the dainpers.

15. A plurality ot progressively operating kilns cach having intakefines', and an outlet A flue communicating at its outer end with theintake ilues of tliencxt adjacent kiln in advanccl lilicreot', each ofsaid outlet fines having longitudinally spaced openings adjacent theintake {lucs with which it communicates, dampers between the saidopenings of the outlet fines, and a portable tan having means ot'communication with the said openings, whereby to withdraw products o't'the outlet lues at one side of the dainpers and introduce the Same underpressure within the intake Hues at the opposite sides of the dampeis,said fan being portable from one kiln to another throughout the seriesin action.

1G. A plurality of progressively operating kilns having annular seriesof door openings and provided with inlet and outlet fines, ,gratas fordisposition in the said door plurality of intake pipes leading from eachof the intake ues into the door openings and opening therein below thesaid gratas, as

described.

MAURICE M. MNTER. 1Witnesses:

' l), J. BROWN, J. W. RAGAN.

